Mendes plans Willy Wonka musical

American Beauty brings Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the stage.

Sam Mendes is reportedly developing a stage musical version of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.


The director of such films as American Beauty and Revolution Road will producing the proposed show with business partner Caro Newling. David Greig is to write the script, with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman providing the score.


Published in 1964, Dahl’s novel has already inspired two film versions – the 1971 classic starring gene Wilder and more recently the Tim Burton directed remake starring Johnny Depp.